NFL free agency: Falcons should consider Connor Barwin

NFL free agency: Falcons should consider Connor Barwin

At this point in the offseason, most of the NFL’s key free agents have been signed. Those still on the market are typically looking for more money than anyone wants to pay, or trying to find one final chance to win a Super Bowl.

That’s the case with former Rams and Eagles defensive end/outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who said he has fielded numerous offers but has yet to sign.

“I’m not going to go play anywhere that I don’t think they’ve got a chance to win a Super Bowl,” Barwin said. “That’s always the way I’ve felt, but obviously the older you get, the more and more urgency you have.”

If Barwin truly wants to win a Super Bowl, the Falcons could give him his best shot. After losing last year’s starting defensive end Adrian Clayborn to the Patriots, Atlanta is going young with Takkarist McKinley and Vic Beasley.

Few doubt that McKinley, last year’s first-round pick, will have any trouble adjusting to his full-time role. However, adding an experienced edge defender like Barwin would give Dan Quinn another weapon off of the edge to ease the transition and provide veteran help the way Dwight Freeney offered in 2016.

Even though he is 31 years old, Barwin can still play at a high level. Last season, he had five sacks for the Rams and helped them win the NFC West and end a 13-year playoff drought.

If Barwin can be signed for the veteran minimum or somewhere close, he’d be well worth the investment.